Bombshells

In the beginning, there was Theda Bara. The first movie bombshell seduced the male moviegoers as an exotic femme fatale in 1915’s “A Fool There Was.” She became known as “The Vamp” — short for vampire — for excelling as scantily clad sirens who turned macho men into whimpering fools for love. Ever since Bara nearly bared all, Hollywood has scurried to find the next great bombshell.

In the 1930s, there was platinum blond Jean Harlow; German-born Marlene Dietrich and Austrian-born Hedy Lamarr who had caused quite a stir appearing au naturel in the 1933 Czech film, ‘Ecstasy.”

During World War II, the bombshell also became the pin-up favorite of the armed forces, especially singer-dancer Betty Grable whose shapely legs were insured by Lloyds of London. She was such a favorite of the G.I.’s she even starred in a 1944 musical comedy called “Pin-Up Girl.”

The ultimate bombshell was Marilyn Monroe, who shot to stardom in the early 1950s especially after Hugh Hefner published the nude photo of her in Playboy.

But there’s more to a bombshell than a pretty face and shapely body. Harlow was a skilled farceur; Dietrich was an Oscar-nominated actress whose film career endured into her 60s; and Monroe not only had that “it” quality but demonstrated solid dramatic acting chops in such films as “Bus Stop” and “The Misfits.”

Some bombshells had considerable brain power as well. During World War II, Lamarr co-invented an early form of spread spectrum communications technology, and Jayne Mansfield’s IQ was 163. But she often lamented that the only numbers her fans cared about were her measurements: 40-21-35.

29 thoughts about Bombshells

Take off Shelly Winters & Carole Landis, not worthy of bombshell description

”— Ayn Montgomery, March 4, 2010 at 7:55 p.m.
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Dorothy Dandrige should be an honorable mention.

”— emhtee, March 5, 2010 at 12:20 p.m.
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Where is Vivien Leigh?

”— Bob Hillegas, March 5, 2010 at 1:25 p.m.
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Where is the incomparable Maureen O'Hara?

”— Richard Clark, March 5, 2010 at 9:58 p.m.
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Where is Julie Newmar?

”— Dale, March 6, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
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Dale:

Julie Newmar does not have a star on the Walk of Fame.

To read more about the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce process and notable omissions visit our "About This Project" page: http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/

”— Megan Garvey/Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2010 at 12:42 p.m.
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Boo! I think the term "Bombshell" is antiquated, derogatory and demeaning. Shame on you!

”— SW, March 6, 2010 at 7:07 p.m.
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She's never been considered a "bombshell", but Lauren Bacall in 'To Have And To Have Not' should qualify for this list.

”— Figgins, March 7, 2010 at 2:39 p.m.
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How about the french sex symbol Brigitte Bardot

”— patrick, March 8, 2010 at 9:33 a.m.
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Brigitte Bardot does not have a star on the Walk of Fame. Read more about the process for getting a star and some of the notable omissions on our "About This Project" page:

http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/

To see stories from the archives about Brigitte Bardot visit:

http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/brigitte-bardot

”— Megan Garvey/Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2010 at 10:14 a.m.
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Marilyn is the gold standard. It's the intangible that makes someone a bombshell. Whatever you want to call it: vulnerability, sensitivity etc. You have it or you don't. Rita Hayworth definitely belongs, how about Esther Williams?I know they are huge stars but I wouldn't include Marlene Deitrich, Mae West or Shaelley Winters.

”— Joe, March 8, 2010 at 12:03 p.m.
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You also forgotten. A prolific. Bombshell And pin-up girl For the african-american service-men in world war 2And. Also a actress. In the 40's another classic beauty of. Her time, herName is. LENA HORNE So plzInvestigate her life and post it. InLos angeles times. Of. Celebrity bombshellsShe also just died of a ripe old-age inHer 90's. Thx. Matt

”— matthew conner, June 23, 2010 at 9:38 a.m.
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Agree about Rita Hayworth missing from list, she could easily be the reigning queen. To a reader's comment, Bombshell may be a term from bygone days, but most of the actresses to which it is ascribed are from those days. None of those actresses would have agreed with you about it being demeaning; who knows, a couple of them may have blushed about it, but all would have considered it a crowning achievement. If you think it's derogatory, then you give the term a meaning now that it didn't have in its time.

”— Dean Pennington, July 5, 2010 at 6:34 p.m.
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Where is rock Hudson???

His feminine side makes him a true bommbshell!!

”— Bill , January 13, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.
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Jane Seymour! The most beautiful, talented, gracious and sexiest actress of all time. She tops any bombshell list in my book!

”— Kenny, April 9, 2011 at 10:16 p.m.
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Mae West will always be a timeless bombshell! There is noone who will ever be able to walk in Mae's shoes, not even Marilyn Monroe